Peter Gray: Lessons from the Saddle, the Sidelines, and the Judge’s Box

This episode of In Stride is sponsored by VetCS. VetCS is an equine veterinarian–founded company creating science-backed hemp products for everything from joint support to calming solutions for stressful situations. Their clean, consistent formulas are made by horse people who truly understand horses. Visit https://vetcs.com/pages/in-stride to purchase and use code InStride20 for 20% off.  This episode is also sponsored by The Equestrian College Advisor. Navigate the college search with confidence and find the right fit for both academics and riding. Visit equestriancollegeadvisor.com to learn more and book a consultation.  In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by the one and only Peter Gray.  Peter Gray is an accomplished Olympic event rider, international judge, and high-level coach. He competed at the Olympic Games as an event rider, including the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympics, and earned individual bronze at the 1987 Pan American Games. As a coach, he served as the Canadian national team coach from 1996 to 2000 and has held roles including Canadian team selector and high-performance leadership roles in both Canada and the U.S. As a judge, Peter holds a USEF ‘S’ dressage license and an FEI Level 3 eventing license, judging through the five-star level, and was appointed as a judge for the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships in Italy.   Peter reflects on the many roles he’s held throughout his career and the lessons he’s learned along the way, including:  • How growing up on the small island of Bermuda shaped his path to becoming an international competitor  • Training principles that stand the test of time, and approaches the sport needs to move beyond • Why proper coaching matters, and the value of learning from coaches with extensive experience at the upper levels  • How judging has influenced his perspective on riding, both in hindsight and in how he views the sport today Join Peter and Sinead for a thoughtful conversation about riding, coaching, judging, and a career that has spanned every level of the sport.  In Stride is brought to you by Ride iQ. Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable. If you want to give it a try, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com⁠. Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health. Ask An Expert is your go-to podcast for practical, real-world advice from top equestrian professionals. From improving your riding to mastering everyday horse care, our experts break it all down. Listen wherever you get your podcasts: https://pod.link/1776969830

This episode of In Stride is sponsored by VetCS. VetCS is an equine veterinarian–founded company creating science-backed hemp products for everything from joint support to calming solutions for stressful situations. Their clean, consistent formulas are made by horse people who truly understand horses. Visit https://vetcs.com/pages/in-stride to purchase and use code InStride20 for 20% off.  This episode is also sponsored by The Equestrian College Advisor. Navigate the college search with confidence and find the right fit for both academics and riding. Visit equestriancollegeadvisor.com to learn more and book a consultation.   In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by Olympic eventing course designer Pierre Le Goupil.  Pierre Le Goupil is an internationally respected eventing course designer and lifelong horseman whose career began with more than two decades of competing internationally. He and his family established the event Le Grand Complet on their farm in Normandy, a competition that grew into one of the major horse trials in France and later relocated to Haras du Pin. After transitioning from riding to course design, Le Goupil went on to design at top FEI events around the world and was appointed as the cross-country course designer for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.   Pierre reflects on his journey to becoming one of the world’s leading course designers and what shaped his approach to the sport, including:  • The qualities he believes define a truly great course designer  • How cross-country course design has evolved over the years and how that evolution has influenced the horses themselves  • His experience designing the cross-country course for the 2024 Paris Olympics, and how he balanced challenge and global expectations  • The pressure and responsibility that come with the role, and the strategies he uses to stay mentally grounded  Join Pierre and Sinead for an insightful conversation about what it takes to design cross-country tracks on the world stage.  In Stride is brought to you by Ride iQ. Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable. If you want to give it a try, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com⁠. Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health. Ask An Expert is your go-to podcast for practical, real-world advice from top equestrian professionals. From improving your riding to mastering everyday horse care, our experts break it all down. Listen wherever you get your podcasts: https://pod.link/1776969830

Bonus Episode: This week you're getting two episodes! This conversation originally aired on the Ask an Expert podcast, and we’re bringing it over to In Stride for you to enjoy.When the temperature drops, your horse's health needs a thoughtful approach to keep them comfortable and thriving through the winter. In this episode of Ask An Expert, renowned equine vet Dr. Lisa Casinella joins us to reveal the essential winter care practices every horse owner should know. From diet adjustments to blanket selection, Dr. Casinella shares actionable advice to make winter stress-free for both you and your horse. Episode Highlights: 10:30: Must-have items for a winter emergency kit (when a vet isn’t available). 25:30: Seasonal diet and supplement changes after pasture grass disappears. 37:00: How to select the right blanket based on weather and hay access. 39:30 : Solutions for horses prone to weight loss in winter. 44:00: Indoor vs. outdoor winter care: pros, cons, and when to blanket. Meet the Expert, Dr. Lisa Casinella Dr. Lisa Casinella is a leading equine veterinarian based in Ocala, FL, with over 25 years of experience in performance horse care, including as the Official USEF Team Veterinarian. She brings deep expertise in both sport and racehorse health, with a holistic approach that includes acupuncture.Brought to you by Ride iQ  This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more. Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable. If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com.  Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

This episode of In Stride is sponsored by VetCS. VetCS is an equine veterinarian–founded company creating science-backed hemp products for everything from joint support to calming solutions for stressful situations. Their clean, consistent formulas are made by horse people who truly understand horses. Visit https://vetcs.com/pages/in-stride to purchase and use code InStride20 for 20% off.  This episode is also sponsored by The Equestrian College Advisor. Navigate the college search with confidence and find the right fit for both academics and riding. Visit equestriancollegeadvisor.com to learn more and book a consultation.  In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by up-and-coming event rider Isabelle Bosley.  Isabelle Bosley is an American 4* event rider who has competed at major international competitions including the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, Badminton, Blenheim, and Bramham. She competed in the CCI4*-L at Morven Park with Night Quality, which was an important milestone in her career. In 2025, she won the MARS Maryland 5 Star CCI3*-L with Conner, marking one of her biggest victories to date. Isabelle spent several years working for Lillian Heard Wood and now works for Olympic rider Phillip Dutton, where she continues to develop young horses, compete at the FEI levels, and support a top-level program.   Isabelle reflects on the trajectory of her career and the people and horses who have shaped her path in eventing, including:  • The influence of Lillian Heard Wood and Phillip Dutton, and the lessons she’s carried forward from each of them  • How a stretch of disappointing results, including a Nations Cup appearance, led to her first sponsor and ultimately to finding Conner  • The journey of developing Conner and the thoughtful approach she’s taken to building a lasting partnership with him  • Navigating the realities of the industry, from balancing work and riding to managing finances and avoiding burnout  Join Isabelle and Sinead for an honest conversation about grit, opportunity, and the mix of hard work and luck that fuels a career at the top of the sport.  In Stride is brought to you by Ride iQ. Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable. If you want to give it a try, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com⁠. Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health. Ask An Expert is your go-to podcast for practical, real-world advice from top equestrian professionals. From improving your riding to mastering everyday horse care, our experts break it all down. Listen wherever you get your podcasts: https://pod.link/1776969830

This episode of In Stride is sponsored by VetCS. VetCS is an equine veterinarian–founded company creating science-backed hemp products for everything from joint support to calming solutions for stressful situations. Their clean, consistent formulas are made by horse people who truly understand horses. Visit https://vetcs.com/pages/in-stride to purchase and use code InStride20 for 20% off.  This episode is also sponsored by The Equestrian College Advisor. Navigate the college search with confidence and find the right fit for both academics and riding. Visit equestriancollegeadvisor.com to learn more and book a consultation.  In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by BHS-certified eventing and dressage coach Andrea Pfeiffer.  Andrea Pfeiffer is a BHS-certified trainer with more than 30 years of experience developing horses and riders to their highest potential across both eventing and dressage. Based at Chocolate Horse Farms in Petaluma, CA, she coaches a wide range of riders whose success reflects her thoughtful, dedicated approach. Andrea is the winner of the 2022 Equus Award presented by the Sonoma County Horse Council and actively develops horses in partnership with top event rider Tommy Greengard. Beyond her work in sport, she serves as vice president for the Petaluma COTS Committee on the Shelterless and sits on the Board of Directors for Giant Steps Therapeutic Riding Center.  Andrea reflects on the many chapters of her life and the community she’s built within the horse world, including:  • How Chocolate Horse Farms began, the vision behind it, and how it’s evolved over the years  • Her work supporting the shelterless population in Petaluma through the COTS organization, and why that mission matters to her  • Her partnership with Tommy Greengard and the process of finding, developing, and producing top-quality horses together  • The training principles that guide her work today and how her approach has shifted over the past two decades  Join Andrea and Sinead for an inspiring conversation about purpose, partnership, and the impact one person can have in their community, both inside and outside the arena.    In Stride is brought to you by Ride iQ. Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable. If you want to give it a try, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com⁠. For Black Friday, use code FRIDAY35 to get 35% off your first month or your first year. Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

This episode of In Stride is sponsored by The Equestrian College Advisor. Navigate the college search with confidence and find the right fit for both academics and riding. Visit equestriancollegeadvisor.com to learn more and book a consultation.  In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by eventing legend Karen O’Connor.  Karen O’Connor is one of the most accomplished event riders in U.S. history, having represented the United States at five Olympic Games, three World Equestrian Games, and two Pan American Games. She helped secure team silver at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and team bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and she earned both individual and team gold at the 2007 Pan American Games. Alongside her husband, Olympic event rider David O’Connor, she runs O’Connor Equestrian, a renowned training and coaching program based in The Plains, Virginia, and Ocala, Florida.  Karen reflects on her legendary eventing career and the role natural horsemanship has played in shaping successful horse-and-rider partnerships, including:  • How she fell in love with horses as a kid and the early experiences that laid the foundation for her life in the sport  • Her relationship with pressure on the world stage, especially within an Olympic team environment, and how she navigated those situations  • The community and family that grew from merging her business with David’s and building O’Connor Eventing together  • Why horsemanship must be a cornerstone of training, and how often these fundamentals are overlooked by many new riders today  Join Karen and Sinead as they dive into the realities behind one of the most influential eventing careers of all time and the timeless principles that continue to guide great riders and great horses. In Stride is brought to you by Ride iQ. Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable. If you want to give it a try, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com⁠. Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

This episode briefly touches on suicide prevention and loss.This episode of In Stride is sponsored by The Equestrian College Advisor. Navigate the college search with confidence and find the right fit for both academics and riding. Visit equestriancollegeadvisor.com to learn more and book a consultation.  In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by British 5* event rider Simon Grieve.   Simon Grieve is a British five-star event rider with nearly 100 national wins and 18 starts at the world’s top events, including Badminton, Burghley, and Pau. He runs Simon Grieve Eventing at Field Farm in Leicestershire, where he competes, trains horses, and coaches riders of all levels. Simon is also the co-host of The Shut Up and Ride Podcast, known for its honest, down-to-earth conversations about the realities of the sport. In addition to his competitive and coaching career, he serves as a mentor within the Performance Mentoring Programme, helping riders strengthen their skills, confidence, and mindset in and out of the saddle.  Simon reflects on his career and his growing role as a voice within the sport of eventing, including:  • How The Shut Up and Ride Podcast came to life and the dynamic between the hosts that makes their conversations both unfiltered and meaningful  • The mindset work he’s done as a rider, how it’s shaped his approach to competition, and the impact it’s had on his life outside the saddle  • What led him to build a presence on social media, how he balances authenticity with visibility, and the challenges of sharing openly in a public space  • How he manages the fear, doubts, and nerves that come with riding at the five-star level, and the tools he uses to stay grounded in high-pressure moments  Join Simon and Sinead as they explore the realities of competing at the top of the sport, the responsibility of being a public voice for eventing, and the importance of keeping the love of the horse at the heart of it all.  In Stride is brought to you by Ride iQ. Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable. If you want to give it a try, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com⁠. Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Join the waitlist for Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

This episode of In Stride is sponsored by The Equestrian College Advisor. Navigate the college search with confidence and find the right fit for both academics and riding. Visit equestriancollegeadvisor.com to learn more and book a consultation.  In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by course designer and 5* event rider Daniel Clasing.   Daniel Clasing is an American event rider who began competing seriously at age 13 and earned early successes, including a team bronze medal at the 2002 NAYRC CCI* and a win at the 2002 Virginia CCI*. He rode his longtime upper-level partner Houston to double clear cross-country rounds at Rolex Kentucky Three‑Day Event in 2013 and 2014, finishing just outside the top twenty in each. In addition to his riding career, he holds a licensed “r” grade cross-country course designer credential. He and his wife, Kaitlin, run a full-service training and coaching business, Clasing Equestrian, located in Lovettsville, Virginia.  Daniel reflects on his career and shares his perspective on where the sport of eventing is headed, including:  • How his early exposure to horses sparked his passion and set him on the path toward a career in eventing  • The systems and philosophies he follows when starting and developing young horses  • Why thoughtful cross-country course design at the lower levels is essential for building the foundation horses and riders need to progress safely and confidently  • How cross-country questions have evolved over the years, and what those changes mean for the future  Join Daniel and Sinead as they look at where eventing has been, where it’s going, and how the sport can keep moving in the right direction. 

This episode of In Stride is sponsored by The Equestrian College Advisor. Navigate the college search with confidence and find the right fit for both academics and riding. Visit equestriancollegeadvisor.com to learn more and book a consultation.  In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by top event rider Alyssa Phillips.  Alyssa Phillips is an American event rider based in Ocala, Florida, where she owns and operates her training and competition program. A product of the U.S. eventing development pathway and longtime student of Olympic-level rider Jennie Brannigan, Alyssa has produced multiple horses to the top of the sport. She earned a marquee career victory aboard her Holsteiner gelding Oskar at the 2021 Land Rover Kentucky CCI4*-S and was selected to represent the United States in multiple FEI Nations Cup competitions. In 2024, Alyssa was a member of the U.S. Nations Cup teams that earned second-place finishes at both CHIO Aachen and the Millstreet International CCIO4*-S, further establishing herself as one of the country’s most exciting rising stars in international eventing.   Alyssa reflects on her journey in high-performance eventing and the mindset that keeps her grounded, including:  • What she learned from stepping into the ride on a horse developed by another rider, and how she built trust, communication, and confidence in that partnership • The training philosophies and principles passed down from her mentors that shaped her approach to producing top event horses  • How she balances ambition with joy to keep the sport fun, sustainable, and in harmony with real life  • The thoughtful conditioning strategies she uses to build fitness and confidence for the toughest cross-country tracks  Join Alyssa and Sinead for an inspiring conversation with one of the sport’s most exciting young professionals about staying steady under pressure and thriving in the pursuit of excellence. 

This episode of In Stride is sponsored by The Equestrian College Advisor. Navigate the college search with confidence and find the right fit for both academics and riding. Visit equestriancollegeadvisor.com to learn more and book a consultation.  In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by Grand Prix dressage rider Lehua Custer.  Lehua Custer is an accomplished dressage rider and trainer who grew up in Hawaii. A longtime student of Olympic medalist and Hall of Fame horsewoman Hilda Gurney, Lehua has produced and ridden multiple horses to the FEI levels. She is best known for developing Fortunato H2O, who went on to excel in international para-dressage with U.S. rider Roxanne Trunnell, contributing to a global team podium finish. Lehua also developed and competed the talented Dutch Warmblood gelding FJ Ramzes to the Grand Prix level, earning strong results in national and CDI competition. Early in her career, Lehua received the prestigious Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize Grant, which helped accelerate her rise in the high-performance ranks.   Lehua reflects on her career and the influential horses who shaped it, including:  • How training under Olympic medalist Hilda Gurney molded her foundation and mindset as a professional  • The journey of Fortunato H2O “Tuna,” from his early development to his rise as a top para-dressage horse with Roxanne Trunnell  • Her partnership with FJ Ramzes and the incredible opportunities that came from developing him to the Grand Prix level  • How prioritizing physical strength and fitness transformed not only her riding, but her confidence and clarity as a trainer  Join Lehua and Sinead for an inspiring conversation about grit, opportunity, and the power of believing in what’s possible when you fully commit to the process.